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When 102 humanoid robots from 10 different companies converged last month at a sprawling 4,000-square-metre facility on the outskirts of Shanghai, trained in essential tasks – walking, making beds, washing dishes, screwing bolts and even welding – it showed how China is on the fast track to a future where humans and humanoid robots seamlessly coexist. This unprecedented “robot school”, jointly built by national and local-level authorities, is not just about teaching robots mundane chores – it is a microcosm of China’s grander ambitions. “Humanoid robots are expected to become the next groundbreaking innovation, following computers, smartphones and new-energy vehicles, profoundly transforming human production and lifestyles while reshaping the global industrial landscape,” according to long-term guidelines rolled out by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The government’s aggressive push into humanoid robotics signals a strategic move to dominate emerging technologies and outpace the United States in the race for innovation supremacy amid a high-stakes battle for global technological dominance.
The Geography of PRC Robotics: Charting China’s Robotic Future
An overview of the PRC robotics industry including robotic hub cities and companies.
Breakthroughs in Humanoid Robotics and the Dawn of Embodied AI
An in-depth look at recent technological breakthroughs in humanoid robotics and the emergence of embodied AI, discussing their potential impact on various sectors and the future of human-robot interaction.
China Has an Army of Robots on Its Side in the Tariff War
This article examines how China’s deployment of AI-powered factory robots is enhancing its manufacturing efficiency, providing a strategic advantage in international trade disputes.
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Informing your decisions with actionable intelligence
Informing your decisions with actionable intelligence